Fewer than 1% of the vehicles sold in South Africa in 2023 were fully electric or plug-in hybrids, according to the International Energy Agency. In contrast, 93% of vehicles sold in Norway and 60% in Sweden are electric or plug-in hybrids. The global average is 18%.

Fully electric cars are entirely battery-powered and must be charged. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles rely primarily on the battery for driving, with the combustion engine engaging when the battery is low.

One reason for South Africans’ slow uptake of plug-in and fully electric vehicles is the relatively low number of charging stations. There are at least 400 public charging stations in South Africa, compared to about 4,000 major brand petrol stations.

Despite this, the number of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in South Africa has increased from 384 in 2021 to 1,147 in 2023.